Question : JUVENILES IN CRIME

(a) whether the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has reccently released a report regarding increasing involvement of juveniles in crime;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the total number of such cases reported and the action taken against the guilty during each of the last three years and the current year crime-wise and State/UTwise;

(c) the reasons identified by the Government behind the increase in involvement of juveniles in such crimes;

(d) whether the Government has any proposal to lower the age bar for juveniles from the existing eighteen;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the efforts made/being made in this direction; and

(f) the details of the corrective steps taken by the Government to check such crimes in future?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI R.P.N SINGH)

(a) & (b): As per information provided by the National Crime

Records Bureau, a total number of 22,740, 25,125 and 27,936 cases under IPC crimes were reported against juveniles in conflict with law during 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.

The State/UT wise and crime head wise total number of cases reported against the Juveniles in conflict with law under Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL) during 2010 – 2012 are enclosed at Annexure I.

The actions taken against juvenile in conflict with law by Juvenile Justice Board during 2010–2012 are enclosed at Annexure II.

(c): Increase in crime is due to many causes but no specific causes can be isolated.

(d) & (e): No such proposal is under consideration.

(f): “Police” and “Public Order” being State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, the State Governments are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through the machinery of their law enforcement agencies under the extant and appropriate law(s), as also for protecting the life and property of the citizens. The Union Government, however, attaches highest importance to the matter of prevention of crime and therefore, has been advising the State Governments and UT Administrations from time to time, to give more focused attention to improving the administration of criminal justice system and take such measures as are necessary for prevention and control of crime.